Portland's FAIR Ordinance limits security deposits to roughly one to one-and-a-half months rent, requires written condition reports and pre-move-in inspections, and mandates itemized accounting plus return within thirty-one days of move-out.
Under Portland City Code Chapter 30.01 and Oregon ORS 90.300, landlords must follow strict rules for collecting and returning security deposits. Portland caps move-in fees and security deposits, requires a written condition assessment at move-in, and forbids deductions for ordinary wear and tear. Within thirty-one days after the tenancy ends, landlords must return the deposit or deliver a written itemized accounting of any deductions with receipts or estimates. Pet deposits, last-month rent, and screening fees are separately regulated. Improper deductions or missed deadlines forfeit the entire deposit and trigger statutory penalties.
Failure to return deposits or provide written accounting within thirty-one days subjects landlords to forfeiture of the full deposit, twice the wrongfully withheld amount as damages, and tenant attorney fees.
See how Portland's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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